What once started as a legitimate battle this summer between true freshman Trevor Lawrence and senior Kelly Bryant has suddenly become a scramble for the No. 4 Clemson Tigers and head coach Dabo Swinney heading into Saturday’s game at Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Everyone might be in for somewhat of a surprise at BB&T Field.

Bryant has left the program. Lawrence is injured and might not play. Nobody knows if redshirt freshman and third-string quarterback Chase Brice is truly any good despite leading a comeback to beat Syracuse, 27-23.

So, what now? Hunter Renfrow, who else?

“Renfrow Nation,” as Dabo calls it is in full swing. Hunter Renfrow is splitting reps at QB/WR this week and has been attending QB meetings.

Hunter Renfrow? The same guy who turned down big baseball offers to walk on the Clemson Tigers football team? The 5-foot-11, 180-pound guy who caught two touchdowns in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship game as a redshirt freshman? The school legend who caught the game-winning touchdown from Deshaun Watson to beat mighty Alabama in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship game?

The man who helped the Tigers escape the Syracuse Orange with this incredible grab late in the third quarter?

Yes to all of the above. The 22-year-old senior is the ultimate utility player in college football and “Renfrow Nation” might actually see him toss the pigskin in an ACC game this weekend.

Amusing anecdote from Jeff Scott: He asked Hunter Renfrow last Monday if he'd be ready if needed. With Mark Fields suspended, Renfrow assumed he meant CB, not QB, and started explaining how he'd hold up in coverage. Scott, "no, I mean if we need you at QB."

This might be all smoke and mirrors. Lawrence could be healthy enough to play or Brice might actually be progressing enough in the system to start him if need be. Maybe both are true.

What’s also true is that wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, the former Socastee High School signal caller, will be ready to lead the charge and play quarterback for Clemson football if his number is called on Saturday.

With over 10 years of sports writing experience, Brett has covered some of the top local, regional, and national sporting events in the Heartland for both print and digital platforms. He is a graduate of Kansas State University and resides in Austin, Texas.